[max h]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

Hi Team,

I'm having V8 remorse... looking to see if I can find a used M550 with model years between 2021-2023. I'd want it fully loaded... dynamic handling, Bowers, Nappa Leather and mileage under 40k.

I have alerts set on cars.com, but was wondering if you have any advice on anywhere else I could look. I don't see many sites to buy people out of leases anymore. Would working with a BMW dealer be a good idea? Or perhaps there's even a board as part of these forums for used cars that I'm not seeing.

Thanks for your help!

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by max h

Hi Team,

I'm having V8 remorse... looking to see if I can find a used M550 with model years between 2021-2023. I'd want it fully loaded... dynamic handling, Bowers, Nappa Leather and mileage under 40k.

I have alerts set on cars.com, but was wondering if you have any advice on anywhere else I could look. I don't see many sites to buy people out of leases anymore. Would working with a BMW dealer be a good idea? Or perhaps there's even a board as part of these forums for used cars that I'm not seeing.

Thanks for your help!

Scour BMW’s national sales database on a daily basis as well as the car.com, guru’s etc. it just takes diligence. When you find the car, act quickly including due diligence. Prioritize your must haves and be prepared to give up something, such as an interior color you want where the car has everything else. Obviously, be open to buying site unseen and having it shipped. Asking your local dealer to find one won’t help. They will only be looking at their own inventory.

[max h]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Scour BMW’s national sales database on a daily basis as well as the car.com, guru’s etc. it just takes diligence. When you find the car, act quickly including due diligence. Prioritize your must haves and be prepared to give up something, such as an interior color you want where the car has everything else. Obviously, be open to buying site unseen and having it shipped. Asking your local dealer to find one won’t help. They will only be looking at their own inventory.

Thanks for your help! Great advice. This car must be more in demand than I thought. I’m just not excited about the m60 i5 for some reason… wishing I would have thought of this earlier. I appreciate it!

[Chappers 71]

This looks rather nice

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...Type=spotlight

[eliphil]

I know a guy w a 22 bernina grey 34k miles loaded but not upgraded stereo. Ceramic coated ppf

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by eliphil

I know a guy w a 22 bernina grey 34k miles loaded but not upgraded stereo. Ceramic coated ppf

OP, Joe-BMW33 has given you solid advice but I'd also ping eliphil and take a look at his Bernina M550i ☝️. It's a matter of patience.. We all gave up one thing or another. For example, I found my loaded M550i but would have loved to have Mediterranean Blue. B&W would have been nice I suppose, but was never on my must have list given that I am not an audiophile and I'm satisfied with HK. When the close-to-perfect car comes up, be prepared to sign the dotted line.

[eliphil]

The bernina grey has black black wheels dhp and all else but the stereo

[Gautam]

I’d have cars.com and cargurus sorted by newest first, would refresh multiple times a day. I purchased in early ‘21, when the market was starting to go crazy but pricing hadn’t caught up. I missed out on two top speced examples because I called a day after the ads were placed. Doubt it’s as nuts now, but typically you can either find a deal, or you can find one loaded to the nines. When dealing with the latter, there might be multiple interested parties, even at asking price.

[NGT2]

I did this 18 months ago but specifically for a 2020. Got everything except leather dash and alcantara headliner. Including DHP and Bowers.

I’ve thought about upgrading to a LCI model. Probably next year, but I look all the time. Bowers is really hard to find on LCI models. But you can find it. DHP is somewhat rare but easier to find than Bowers. If you find both, buy the car. If you want both of those options, I would be willing to take any color combo because if you pass on one over color, it may be a while before you see another.

Honestly, having had both, I’d pick a car with Bowers and no DHP over one with DHP and no Bowers. Both are great. But although the DHP removes roll and tightens the car in corners, it also separates you from the road a bit and some guys dislike than disconnect. I wouldn’t pass on it but I wouldn’t pass for it either, were I looking again. That’s just one guy’s opinion, though. Most are more polarized about it. Either it’s a must have or a never have. I’m probably unusual to be neutral about it. Can argue for or against. But if you want the most comfortable ride possible, definitely get DHP.

You could also look at an M850GC. V8 with 4 doors, lots of depreciation to make the price close to M550 CPO price, and easier to find Bowers. I believe they all have rear steering.

[br2wdc]

Another option if you are OK buying from an individual is FB Marketplace and craigslist ... my criteria was similar to yours except my budget was lower and so I was limited to 2017-2019 cars.

For me, the B&W was at the top of my list of preferred options, but I wasn't going to eliminate a perspective car on that alone. The DC area had some cars, but for what I wanted I needed to open up my search nationally, so for CL I used national search site

As it turned out, the car I found turned up in ABQ via craigslist being sold by a real estate agent, fully optioned with everything I wanted except for B&W and DHP, but I bought it anyway after the PPI confirmed the car was in excellent shape.

My sense is the market has gone down in the past 3-6 months somewhat significantly for these cars, so I would use the "days on market" in cars.com to see if a car fully optioned with your preferred items has been sitting for awhile, and play "let's make a deal".

Good luck!

Originally Posted by max h

Hi Team,

I'm having V8 remorse... looking to see if I can find a used M550 with model years between 2021-2023. I'd want it fully loaded... dynamic handling, Bowers, Nappa Leather and mileage under 40k.

I have alerts set on cars.com, but was wondering if you have any advice on anywhere else I could look. I don't see many sites to buy people out of leases anymore. Would working with a BMW dealer be a good idea? Or perhaps there's even a board as part of these forums for used cars that I'm not seeing.

Thanks for your help!

[eliphil]

I’d be careful w the 8 series the seats are not great and it’s unforgiving. My bernina grey has 35k miles ppf and ceramic and on top of that an available built in radar detector that’s really pretty cool.

[zvery777]

It took me almost 2 months to find what I wanted. They are out there, take your time and jump at the opportunity. Good luck!

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by eliphil

I’d be careful w the 8 series the seats are not great and it’s unforgiving. My bernina grey has 35k miles ppf and ceramic and on top of that an available built in radar detector that’s really pretty cool.

I can’t believe no one has bought this car. I already own one and I still thought about buying it.

[snowbimmer]

Originally Posted by eliphil

I’d be careful w the 8 series the seats are not great and it’s unforgiving. My bernina grey has 35k miles ppf and ceramic and on top of that an available built in radar detector that’s really pretty cool.

While I loved my M550 seats (better than any BMW seats before or after) during the 34,000 miles I had it (and 2 really long trips), my current M850 seats are the 2nd best I've ever had. Five trips so far, averaging over 3,500 miles each. Leaving on a 4,000 miler next week. Most days are on the road by 9 am and crawl into the new town by 6 pm - averaging 300 miles a day with gusts up to 500. My boney ass hasn't complained yet.

NGT2 is correct in suggesting you expand your search criteria if you can't find what you want by only staying in M550 land. The two cars share a similar platform with engines, tires & wheels, rear wheel steering and what not. The M850 is 5" longer and 2.5" wider. A veritable land yacht - but it doesn't feel like it, unless you want to parallel park. And, while is starts at a higher price point, it seems to depreciate more (sadly for those of us who own one) - bringing it squarely into the money conversation. You'll have more cars to sift through your spec screen. I'll be at 42,000 miles at 2 yrs and 2 months.

You certainly can't go wrong with either.

My friend with Aventurine and me with Carbon Black. (We still get comments, even when we only have a 2 car meet up)

[eliphil]

Originally Posted by snowbimmer

While I loved my M550 seats (better than any BMW seats before or after) during the 34,000 miles I had it (and 2 really long trips), my current M850 seats are the 2nd best I've ever had. Five trips so far, averaging over 3,500 miles each. Leaving on a 4,000 miler next week. Most days are on the road by 9 am and crawl into the new town by 6 pm - averaging 300 miles a day with gusts up to 500. My boney ass hasn't complained yet.

NGT2 is correct in suggesting you expand your search criteria if you can't find what you want by only staying in M550 land. The two cars share a similar platform with engines, tires & wheels, rear wheel steering and what not. The M850 is 5" longer and 2.5" wider. A veritable land yacht - but it doesn't feel like it, unless you want to parallel park. And, while is starts at a higher price point, it seems to depreciate more (sadly for those of us who own one) - bringing it squarely into the money conversation. You'll have more cars to sift through your spec screen. I'll be at 42,000 miles at 2 yrs and 2 months.

You certainly can't go wrong with either.

My friend with Aventurine and me with Carbon Black. (We still get comments, even when we only have a 2 car meet up)
Attachment 3477196

That is so strange, I am glad the 8 is a good fit for you, it just didn’t work for me

[eliphil]

Originally Posted by NGT2

I can’t believe no one has bought this car. I already own one and I still thought about buying it.

Still driving it several times a week keeping it warm for the right person…..

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by snowbimmer

While I loved my M550 seats (better than any BMW seats before or after) during the 34,000 miles I had it (and 2 really long trips), my current M850 seats are the 2nd best I've ever had. Five trips so far, averaging over 3,500 miles each. Leaving on a 4,000 miler next week. Most days are on the road by 9 am and crawl into the new town by 6 pm - averaging 300 miles a day with gusts up to 500. My boney ass hasn't complained yet...

To paraphrase the old Army commercials, we're 300 miles into our trip by lunch! We usually log just over 700 miles per day on our road trips. Sometimes, we do cut it to 500 miles. When our daughter was going to GCU in Phoenix, we would go there and back (about 700 miles round trip) the same day; if we were just taking her back after a holiday weekend.

[snowbimmer]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

To paraphrase the old Army commercials, we're 300 miles into our trip by lunch! We usually log just over 700 miles per day on our road trips. Sometimes, we do cut it to 500 miles. When our daughter was going to GCU in Phoenix, we would go there and back (about 700 miles round trip) the same day; if we were just taking her back after a holiday weekend.

Back in the day I did the mega mileage. Just get there. Now, I like to eat a decent lunch. Go to a museum. Stop for a hike. Stop for pictures. It's about the journey, not the destination.

On my 2017 trip to Yellowstone, I vowed to never get on a freeway. This was unusual behavior. I love driving through all the small towns along the 2 lane roads. I've barely been on any freeways since.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by snowbimmer

Back in the day I did the mega mileage. Just get there. Now, I like to eat a decent lunch. Go to a museum. Stop for a hike. Stop for pictures. It's about the journey, not the destination.

On my 2017 trip to Yellowstone, I vowed to never get on a freeway. This was unusual behavior. I love driving through all the small towns along the 2 lane roads. I've barely been on any freeways since.

You have loads of beautiful 2-lanes up there! We went to Bend one year and took the 97 out of Weed. We drove some beautiful 2-lanes and I just didn't feel the need to go any faster than about 60; it was such a leisurely drive. We have concrete and asphalt here. Our last trips were San Diego to Texas, so no back roads and SAN to Carson City. The 395 is a pretty nice drive up the eastern side of the Sierra's. I do prefer the backroads, when we're not in a hurry and they're available.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by eliphil

That is so strange, I am glad the 8 is a good fit for you, it just didn’t work for me

They’re both pretty damn sweet, honestly.

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by snowbimmer

Back in the day I did the mega mileage. Just get there. Now, I like to eat a decent lunch. Go to a museum. Stop for a hike. Stop for pictures. It's about the journey, not the destination.

On my 2017 trip to Yellowstone, I vowed to never get on a freeway. This was unusual behavior. I love driving through all the small towns along the 2 lane roads. I've barely been on any freeways since.

Some of the best road trips I have had were driving from WI to Yellowstone via the Badlands and Mt Rushmore and back via Beartooth; from WI to Colorado; and several trips from NM to various places in Colorado, AZ, and Nevada. Some of the most beautiful country one can encounter. Driving through Alaska (albeit in a rental was unforgettable). I really wanted to do the NW, but now I live as far away as one can be from it in the states.

[JoeFromPA]

Originally Posted by eliphil

Still driving it several times a week keeping it warm for the right person…..

Sent you a DM